We Win

One round pound coin later and the metal 

Grabber swings smugly high above us 

Where we crouch. 

                                       Seven cheap, puppy-sized 

Tigers – five times poked and nudged by 

Weak silver fingers – lie unmoved almost, 

Each one had moved freely like a lever 

But was sucked back at last: how could we ever win 

Against the Earth? Such a massive 

Thing it is. 

You saddened – the button-light went dark 

And stayed that way; you had no tiger, 

I'd no prize, no gift won for you. 

Through the low Tiger-flap, normally unused, 

You reach your little hand, and I feel 

The disappointment like a finger on my throat, 

Until you smile 

                                       We win, Daddy! 

Out, like a gemstone comes a little wad 

Of polystyrene, shaped like infinity – 

We win, Daddy! We win!! 

                                       So we do, my Boy.